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1b. How to install a EC200a High Availability Cluster

This article is specifically about Highly Available (HA) clusters. If you are installing a single server, please click here.

The installation process can be performed without disrupting your existing infrastructure and is usually accomplished without the assistance of the Easy Connect Support team. That being said, every situation is unique; if you feel you will need assistance, it is recommended that you perform installation when Support is available (9x5).

Step 1: Unbox your server and check you have the necessary parts.

Unbox your two servers and check you have the necessary parts. In each box, you should have the following:

the server itself

the external power adapter

the power cord to plug your power adapter into your power source.

the Communication Board (provided in a separate box to the server)

You would also have been sent a USB stick (flash drive) to update the software on the server. This would have been sent separately to the server and is needed for the installation.

You will need to provide:

two Ethernet cables to connect the WAN port of the servers to your Internet connection

two Ethernet cables to connect the iLO port of the server to your Internet connection

two Ethernet cables to connect the LAN port of the server to your computer for the initial installation (and then into your LAN switch afterwards).

two Ethernet cables to connect the servers together to form a cluster. (We recommend that these are 0.25 metre Ethernet cables.)

Step 2: Optional - Install expansion pack

If you have purchased an expansion pack, you will need to connect this to your server before you start the installation. Please view the article Expansion pack installationfor instructions.

Step 3: Install the Communication Board into both of your servers.

You would have been supplied with two Communication Boards (which provides an additional 4 network ports per server) and you need to install these into both of your servers by following the below instructions.

3a: Loosen the captive screws, and slide the access panel toward the front of the server, then lift it from the server

3b: Remove the RJ-45 port bracket, and retain the screws for later use

3c: Remove the RJ-45 port blank and retain the blank for future use

3d: Remove the black plastic blanking plate from the Communications Board connector on the system board.

3e: Carefully install the Communication Board by aligning the rear screw holes of the communication board to the middle frame, and then press down on the front end of the board until it clicks into place.

3f: Install the RJ-45 port spacer. Ensure that the spacer is flush against the rear panel surface

3g: Align the rear screw holes of the RJ-45 port bracket to the middle frame, and then follow the sequence markers on the bracket to install the screws

Connect the power adaptor into the power socket on both of your servers, and connect the power adaptors into your power supply.

It is essential your servers are connected to a reliable power supply, and it is highly recommended that they are protected by an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).

Step 5: Plug in USB stick

Plug the USB stick into the USB 3 port on the front of the server. This is the port on the left, labelled SS.

(This is the the USB stick which updates the software on the server, and would have been sent to you with the server or you created it yourself)

Step 6: Power on server

Power on the server by pressing the power button. The server will now boot from the USB stick, and the automated USB imaging process will now start. It takes approx. 40 minutes to complete.

(During the USB imaging process the hard disk activity light on the server will be flashing as the disks are being written to.)

Step 7: Wait for server to power off

When the server has powered off the USB imaging process is complete. The power button LED will be red.

You can now remove the USB stick from the server.

Step 8: USB image the other server

Repeat steps 5 to 7 on the other server

When you have performed the USB imaging process on BOTH servers, and when both servers have shut down and the power button LED is red - continue with step 9.

Step 9: Connect WAN ports

On both servers, connect the port labelled WAN into your network device which provides the WAN connectivity (Internet connection/router/ISP modem/switch) using an Ethernet cable. You will specify the IP address for this when you use the Installation Console. (only one IP address is used for the WAN - which is shared between both servers)

Step 10: Connect iLO ports

Connect up the iLO ports depending on how you configured it in the Commissioning Console.

Air Gap (iLO IP same as WAN port): Leave the iLO port disconnected

Public IP: Connect the iLO port to your router/firewall providing the connectivity

Leave the LAN port disconnected as you will use the LAN port to connect a client device, typically a laptop, to the server in order to complete the installation using the Installation Console.

If you will have an existing firewall in front of your server, you must ensure that all traffic is allowed out from the WAN IP address of the server to the internet. You’ll also need to open a few ports to allow remote access to the iLO and WAN ports. For full details, view the article titled How to Install Your Server Behind a Firewall.